Researchers to study fundamental causes of roof falls in mines

Brijes Mishra

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—

In
2015, the United States generated about four trillion kilowatt hours of
electricity, with 33 percent coming from the use of coal. While coal mining as
an industry is important not only in the U.S. but abroad, it remains a challenging
one, with roof falls accounting for more than 450 injuries over the past three
years.

While
significant efforts by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health have
resulted in decreased fatalities due to roof falls, the fundamental mechanisms
behind these unpredictable falls are still unknown. A team of researchers from West
Virginia University, with support of a $1.2 million grant from NIOSH, are conducting
a study to determine the fundamental mechanisms behind these untimely falls.

The research project, Mishra said, will also
train graduate students to perform advanced research in ground control
engineering. The project will also involve undergraduate students to train them
for future research in rock engineering.

Mishra has conducted
extensive research in the area of rock mechanics, spanning from laboratory
testing to pillar stability analysis for deep coalmines. He created a triaxial laboratory for testing rocks at high pressure
and temperature at WVU, which includes triaxial creep testing equipment for
investigating long-term behavior of the rock.

Sabolsky
has spent a large portion of his career researching advanced ceramic processing
and materials for energy-related applications. He leads the Multi-functional
and Energy Ceramics Group at WVU as well as the Statler College's
interdisciplinary graduate programs in materials science and engineering.

-WVU-

mcd/10/04/16

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